From: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Subject: DOSTRAVEL Lesotho Public Announcement 07/28/99 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1999 20:41:04 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Reply-To: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:2304 Path: world!root Sender: US Dept of State Travel Warnings Message-ID: <199907292042.PAA18956@piglet.cc.uic.edu> Approved: usenet@world.std.com Distribution: wstd Comments: To: dostravel@uic.edu Lines: 139 Lesotho - Public Announcement July 28, 1999 The Department of State recommends that American citizens remain vigilant and exercise caution when traveling in Lesotho. Opposition political parties intend to hold a series of events in recognition of the 1998 political/security crisis. These events may begin as early as July 31, and continue through the month of August. Key dates of events to take place in central Maseru will be August 4, August 8 and August 11. Specific locations will include the central Kingsway corridor, the Basotho National Party Center and the Royal Palace Complex. It is possible that organized or spontaneous street demonstrations will occur during this period. The Department of State urges Americans to avoid these venues, if large crowds of demonstrators are present and to show increased caution and vigilance during this period. We have no specific information that suggests threats of any kind will be directed at Americans. However, we recognize that demonstrations in the past have included threats targeted at foreigners. For further information, please consult the Department of State9s latest Consular Information Sheet on Lesotho. This Public Announcement expires on September 15, 1999. Lesotho - Consular Information Sheet October 16, 1998 Country Description: Lesotho is a developing country in southern Africa. Facilities for tourists are limited. The capital city is Maseru. Entry Requirements: A passport is required for U.S. citizens traveling to Lesotho but no visa is needed. For more information concerning entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho, 2511 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 797-5533. Overseas inquiries may be made at the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Lesotho. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities are minimal. Many medicines are unavailable. Doctors and hospitals often require immediate cash payment for health care services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States. Travelers have found supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provisions for medical evacuation, to be useful. For additional health information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at telephone 1-888-232-3238 or autofax at 1-888-232-3229, or via the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov. Areas of Instability: Maseru, Roma, Teyateyaneng, and several other populated areas suffered significant civil disorder, looting, and violence in September 1998. An international military force from South Africa and Botswana entered Lesotho on September 23, 1998 in an effort to restore order. Although the situation appears to have stabilized, travelers should be aware that the potential for disorder and random violence remains high. Local anger at the military intervention was directed at South Africa, and, although Americans have not been specifically targeted, if Americans were mistaken for South Africans, they might be at risk of sudden and unprovoked attacks. In addition, nearly all food stores, many restaurants, and some lodging facilities were destroyed and looted, so travelers have limited food and lodging options. The U.S. Embassy urges that all Americans exercise extreme caution in planning travel to and through Lesotho at this time. Information on Crime: Deteriorating economic conditions in the country, aggravated by the return of large numbers of unemployed miners from South Africa, have caused an increase in armed robberies, break-ins and car-jackings. This occurs primarily in Maseru, but can occur elsewhere as well. Victims have included foreign diplomats and members of foreign aid missions. Traveling alone or at night is particularly dangerous. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general. Both are available from the superintendent of documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov. Road Safety/In-Country Travel: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions which differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Lesotho is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Safety of Public Transportation: Poor Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor Road travel is difficult, especially during bad weather. A four-wheel drive vehicle is essential on dirt roads outside of Maseru. Due to lack of maintenance, some city roads are impassable without a four-wheel drive vehicle and other roads may have limited access to other vehicular traffic. For specific information concerning Lesotho driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Lesotho National Tourist Organization offices via the Internet at http://www.sadc-usa.net. For international driving permits contact AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service by local carriers at present, nor economic authority to operate such service, between the U.S. and Lesotho, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Lesotho's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Lesotho's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288. Registration and Embassy Location: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy and obtain updated information on travel and security in Lesotho. The U.S. Embassy is located at 254 Kingsway, Maseru West; the mailing address is P.O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho. The telephone number is (266) 312- 666. No. 98-135 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated February 25, 1997, to update the information on areas of instability and road safety/in- country travel and to add a paragraph on civil aviation oversight.